- The Commission has likewise been solicited for input on the suggestion for a directive aiming to harmonize the laws of the Member States regarding the labeling of food items.
Beats akin to chickpeas, fava beans, and soybeans are making a significant impact, particularly in organic farming in Thuringia. Their significance lies in their ability to boost soil nitrogen levels and serve as a local protein source, even for human consumption. The Ministry of Agriculture in Erfurt confirmed this upon request. For instance, the chickpea cultivation area has expanded this year by over 16%, or approximately 2,600 hectares, bringing it up to around 14,900 hectares compared to 2023.
Other significant pulses like fava beans, sweet lupins, and soybeans have witnessed a steady growth in cultivation area since 2020 but have now leveled off. Fava beans are presently cultivated on 5,400 hectares, while soybeans, at 700 hectares, are considered a niche crop.
Components for vegetarian spreads and muesli
To sustain this growth, the Thuringian Ministry of Agriculture is backing initiatives to enhance regional processing and marketing infrastructure. A project integrating bio-agricultural enterprises and companies specializing in vegetarian spreads or muesli is underway. A subsequent project, currently in the application phase, aims to further bolster the supply of locally grown pulses. The ministry also mentioned the revival of the Kyffhäuser lentil as a regional delicacy for the catering industry.
Substitute for imported soy
Projects concentrating on domestic legumes as a substitute for imported soy or plant-based meat alternatives for vegan diets have also earned financial support. In the future, the ministry intends to raise investments in the formation of producer cooperatives to mitigate risks for both producers and consumers due to the occasional significant yield and quality fluctuations in pulse cultivation. Pulses are also frequently used as cover crops in arable farming to improve soil health.
According to the ministry, the cultivation of domestic pulses can be stimulated through new organic farming regulations. In Thuringia, roughly 4,000 hectares for legume cultivation have been registered by 320 agricultural businesses this year.
Other cereals, such as quinoa and millet, are also being considered for integration into the regional processing and marketing infrastructure, aiming to diversify the range of plant-based protein sources. Furthermore, the Ministry is exploring possibilities to promote the cultivation of other nitrogen-fixing crops, including other cereals, to further enhance soil health and reduce reliance on synthetic fertilizers.
